Shardul Pandey Talks To Sumit Agarwal

As a child I used to love listening to music, but pursuing music was never thought of highly in our family. I learnt to play the guitar and a little bit of drums in class 12th to impress someone. When I reached IIT Kanpur, it was a totally new and open field. We had a music club which one could devote some time to and prepare for in-house competitions. I used to sing western songs. After passing out I became engrossed in handling our family business which is a big chemical manufacturing business, requiring my rigorous involvement in everything. From 1998 to 2013, there was not much I did about music. Around 2 years back I started composing and writing. I pursue this only after 9 pm on certain days.

The songs that I write and compose are based on certain feelings or episodes in my life.

You said you compose and write, so what songs you have written. How much have you done and how many songs are recorded ? What are the themes?

I have written and composed around 10 songs till date, out of which five have been recorded and two more to be recorded in this month. Themes are relations, love and patriotism

Would you like to briefly explain your sound to people who have not yet heard your music?

My compositions and singing are simple and easily catch on. Those who have heard my songs have good words about the lyrics specially.

How do you best describe what music is to you?

Music is life energy to me

What inspired your passion for music? What excites & motivates you about it ?

I have been inspired by different forms of music during different phases of my life. From western pop / soft rock till my IIT days, Bollywood after marriage and classical to some extent now ( trying to learn ). Oh… what inspired ? Actually it was the desire to impress someone during class 12th at school, when i learnt to play the drums and guitar along with the ongoing IIT entrance preparations…

What musical projects you are currently working one? What can we expect from you in the next few years ? Any long term goals?

I am currently working on completing my first album. In the next one year, I am trying to upload at least 4-8 touching videos which people can connect with. I am shooting a video for Papa ki Gudiya this month with Anas Khan in Mumbai

According to you, what are easy and hard parts of singing?

Its easy to sing from the heart and difficult to take harkats and murkis in compressed metronome cycles. In short, it is difficult to put the classical touch, since I did not have any classical vocal training.

What makes your endeavors unique?

I am a full-time business person handling a chemical manufacturing group of five industries. I have a 15-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. I come back from office at 9 pm. It is only God’s unique gift to me that I am able to compose, write, sing and record songs and videos, which have reached a professional level and which people are able to relate with and love. I also run an NGO to provide better education to children studying in 12 government primary schools in Kanpur.

What is your foremost experience as an artist ?

You can take inspiration from the best , but carry on with your own thing.

Would you like to share the experience of your first performance?

My first performance was at school in class 12th. I had learnt to play the drums in a month to participate in the school inter house orchestra competition. We played to Papa Kehte Hain. As I played the drums, my eyes were searching for the person I wanted to impress along with the reaction from amongst the audience. The ovation that we got after the performance told me that it had come out very well. It was one of my happiest moments.

What you feel is your strength as a musician and how would you like to be remembered ?

My lyrics, compositions and voice texture are my strengths. I would like to be remembered for touching not just young audience , but everyone. Not just love amongst lovers, but every relation in life.

Who were your biggest musical influences?

Singing : Richard Marx, Scorpions, Air Supply, Backstreet, Boyzone, Westlife, atif, arijit and many more… Composing : too many to mention. Lyrics : honestly did not notice

What songs get you moving?

Oh.. so many of them. I love soft compositions more than the dhin chak numbers.

Any other creative mediums you work in?

I am writing a novel…to be published this year , or end of next year.

What you do for entertainment? Any peculiar interests?

I love all kinds of sports, but had to stop after my knee problem. I can play the nan chak ( martial art instrument ) quite well. Currently music and watching movies comprise my entertainment. Last but most important , I also enjoy working for my business and I want to take it to the number on in my field.

Tell us something about your city, and your favorite hangout spots there.

I like my city Kanpur. I hardly go out much, but Cawnpore Club is worth mentioning. This is where my first video has been shot.

What is your web address, do you own a domain ? Do you blog? Where netizens can find latest news feed about you?

No I don’t.. I just have a Facebook account and a recently started page.

What is your ultimate message for netizens?

Love your country, love your family, be kind to others. Work hard and neither do wrong, nor allow others to do wrong. We have to create a buland bharat.

choti si dagar hai, guzarta karvan
kya khona, kya pana, rahi sab yahan

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